Hi Murray
I imported last fall (october 2007) a 150/150 (Avcon conversion 1600 MGTOW). Formerly N6667G now C-FRED. Easy to do. I can provide you the MDM adress and phone number (minister delegate) who can sign your importation document for a flat rate (every MDM I talked charged about 1K$). You need a 100 hour and an annual inspection. You will have to pay taxes on the purchase prices. Don't forget the following fee:
-Title search (I've used Aerospace report of Oklahoma city 60$) run away from aircraft with liens, the aircraft can not be exported out of USA until liens are removed.
- Ferry flight. I hired a local pilot in Long Island NY where the plane was based. You might have to pay for the ferry, the gas, charts, night at the hotel and the return flight or train ticket.
-Certificate of registration fee (110$ flat rate)
-Rudder stop kit AD (only in Canada) about 250$ for parts and labour.
four (4) very important thing to know:
1)Field overhaul is not accepted by Transport Canada and can be refused during importation inspection. The last engine overhaul must be very well detailed, and be done to new limit. Search for big shop name overhaul, ask to see the engine logs.
2)Stay away from highly modified (337 form) airplane. 337 form does not exist in canada and must be replaced by "limited STC" wich is very expensive to get. All modification must be done under STC to be accepted by tranport Canada.
3) As soon as the money changes hand, the plane has a new legal owner. Figure this out before buying it. It is very expensive to get an export C of A from a mechanic (lots of paperwork), and usually the minister delegate for the importation will request an annual inspection, even if the export C of A has been signed two days ago ! You can't fly a N Number airplane with a canadian private pilot licence, unless registered to your name with a US adress. The easiest way to solve this problem is to ask the seller to "fly" the airplane in Canada for a "pre-purchase inspection" and abandon the airplane in Canada, couples of hours before you buy it (wink ! wink!) and fill the FAA bill of sale, you will still have to pay the taxes and the remaining of above fee.
4) US logs are totally different than Canadian logs. We have Journey log (light blue), Prop log (red), Engine log (yellow), and airframe log (blue). Altough US logs differ from canadian work details inscription must be toroughly detailed and complete. Try to look at the logs and see if complete from day one, very easier to get the airwothiness certificate with complete logs, otherwise the mechanics and the MDM tend to get nervous will spend a lot of time (and charges you big buck) to cover their hass, by doing every AD's - all.
Importation process is straightforward and I will be very happy to help you, if you want, but suggest you do a torough search here before you go south to get one.
Fred
